Review of "The Sacred Cut" by David Hewson

It's snowing on the ancient streets of Rome. In the center of the city and under the Pantheon Dome there is a body. It’s a woman and she was carefully positioned so that a gruesome carving on her back showing. Rome police work in cooperation with U.S. agents, and an old secret is revealed. After Detective Nic Costa arrives on the scene, he is ambushed and loses his only witness. The dead woman is an American, which explains how the U.S. government becomes involved. They reveal that there have been murders committed in other places in the world with the same cryptic message carved into the backs of the deceased. The plot thickens when a good-looking blond agent tells another story to Nic that has to do with a grand deception.

This is a dark and satisfying mystery. The detective, Nic Costa, is an engaging character. The reader will find this one a page-turner right up to the climax, which will startle you out of your seat!